io8 WONDERS OF PLANT LIFE 



It is only during the period of active growth 

 that the Sensitive Plant exhibits great suscepti- 

 bility. Moreover, a high temperature seems to 

 be an essential feature of a prompt response to 

 touch on the part of the specimen. Up to a 

 certain point the Sensitive Plant seems to be able 

 to become accustomed to shock. A curious experi- 

 ment was conducted many years ago in which a 

 young specimen of the plant was placed in a 

 carriage. Directly the vehicle started to move 

 the plant drooped its leaves, but as the move- 

 ment continued, the effects of the shock became 

 less and less until something like a normal position 

 was assumed. 



Certain plants are curiously responsive to elec- 

 trical influence. One of the most remarkable of 

 these cases is that of the Abrus precatorius, an 

 Indian leguminous plant. The behaviour of this 

 species has given rise to a good deal of speculation 

 from time to time, and it has been claimed that 

 warnings of the approach of magnetic storms and 

 electrical disturbances may be gathered by a 

 close observation of the position of its leaflets. 

 This is certainly crediting the plant with powers 

 which it does not possess, although there is no 

 doubt that the Abrus is responsive to the varia- 

 tions in illumination, temperature, etc. It is 



